Level, plumb, and inclinometer.



No. 709,990.] Patented Sept. 30; 1902. 0, w. LING-LE. 0

LEVEL PLUMB AND INCLINOMETEB.

(Application filed. Dec. 20, 1901.)

(no Model.)-

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No. 709,990. v Patented Sept. 30, I902. G. W; LINGLE.

LEVEL, PLUMB, AND INCLINONIETER.

(Application filed Dec. 20, 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. LINGLE, OF EAGLEGROVE, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE J. BUOHHOLZ, OF EAGLEGROVE, IOWA.

LEVEL, PLUMB, AND INCLINOMETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,990, dated September 30, 1902.

Application filed December 20, 1901. Serial No. 86,723. KNO model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. LINGLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eaglegrove, in the countyof Wright and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Levels, Plumbs, and Inclinometers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable oth- IO ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in plumbs, levels, and inclinometers, and particularly that class thereof in which a sus-.

I5 pended pointer is employed to indicate the perpendicular position.

The object of my'invention is to provide a device of the character described which will be readily applicablefor use and which is simple in construction, durable in use, and

cheap to manufacture.

My invention consists, broadly, of a ring or cylinder suitably mounted within the usual block or bar for levels, adapted to be oscillated through an arc of ninety degrees and provided with a hollow extension having suspended therein a pointer or bob which is permitted to swing or play over an indicator within said ring and to point to said indicator when in a perpendicular position.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of my device, showing it adapted for use as a level. 2 is a 5 plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of my device when the tubular extension is inclosed within the bar.

In carrying out my invention I employ a 0 block or bar 1, similar to that usually used for levels, having parallel upper and lower edges 2 3. About midway between the ends I cut away a portion of the block and also provide a slot or recess 4 therein, forming a continua- 5 tion of said cut-away portion. Around this cut-away portion are preferably depressions 4, within which are suitably secured, preferably by screws, bearing-plates 5, having orifices or openings 5 and forward and rearward extensions 5 provided with overlapping lugs 5, secured, preferably, in depressions in the upper edge of the bar by screws.

7 'These bearing-plates close the sides of said cut-away portions and together with their extensions 5 and lugs 5 form an elongated 'slot 5 in the top edge, opening directly over said cut-away portion and the recess 4 Between said bearing-plates I mount a ring or cylinder 6, having extensions or bearings 6 at each side, which are let into or journaled within sockets or depressions 6, formed around the openings or orifices 5 in the bearing-plates 5 on their inner sides. Each sideof the ring is closed by a glass plate or disk 6,,held in internal annular depressions 6 in the edges of said ring by the overlapping edges of the bearing-plates 5. Said ring is provided with a tubular extension 7, in a line with its radius, and a plate 8, connected to its periphery and parallel to the tubular extension, to which it is preferably joined at the outer end by a brace 8. The upper end of said tubular extension is internally screwthreaded and provided with a screw-threaded plug 9, having a hole or perforation 9 therein. Within the ring 6, directly beneath or diametrically opposite the tubular extension 7, is an indicator 10, which consists, preferably, of a cup, having screw-threaded connect-ion with the ring, and a fine wire 10, stretched across the cup and secured in notches 10 in its upper edges. Above the indicator is adapted to swing or play a pointer or bob 11, having, preferably, a conical lower end point suspended within the tubular extension by a cord or wire 11 suitably connected to the plug 9. In the present instance the cord is shown passed through the hole in the plug and knotted and also through a hole 11 in the top of the pointer 11, which communicates with a transverse hole 11 therein, and again knotted. The plug 9 being screwthreaded within the tubular extension permits of the adjustment of the pointer 11 over the indicator. By screwing the plug either in or out the pointer may be so adjusted as to swing in a path just out of contact withthe indicator-wire 10, which greatly increases the accuracy of theinstrument. Said pointer or bob may be provided with rubber bumpers ll for protection from contact with the surrounding walls.

The ring 6 is adapted to oscillate within its bearings through an arc of ninety degrees, its

movement being limited, preferably, by a screw 12, threaded through the bottom edge of the block or bar and engaging an abutment 12 on said ring, and a screw 18 in the recess 4, engaging the tubular extension 7.

The tubular extension 7 is adapted to be received and inclosed within the recess 4, and when so inclosed the plate 8 should preferably lie flush with the top edge of the bar and close the elongated slot 5. The plate 8 is oppositely beveled at the ends, and the overlapping lugs 5 at one end are beveled on their under sides to correspond with the opposing beveled end of said plate, and those on the opposite end are provided with niches or notches 5 for the insertion of the thumb or an instrument for raising the plate and the tubular extension.

In using my device as a level the tubular extension is raised to a perpendicular position, so that a line passing through the point of suspension of the pointer and the center of the indicator, which is marked by the wire 10, will be at right angles to the base or bottom edge of the block or bar 1. It is readily seen that when the said block is level along the base-line the pointer will be directly over the wire of the indicator. It is obvious that various inclinations may be determined by moving the ring to diiferent positions and that the adjustment of the device can be regulated by the adjusting-screws 12 and 13.

My device provides a convenient and accurate level, plumb, and inclinometer which is simple in construction and durable in use.

It is obvious that for denoting the various angles, &c., I may provide a suitable index.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An instrument of the character described, comprising a block, a ring having a hollow extension, rotatably mounted within said block, an adjustable support within said hollow extension, and a pointer suspended from said adjust-able support, adapted to swing over an indicator in said ring, substantially as set forth.

2. An instrument of the character described, comprisingablock, aring, havinga hollow extension, rotatably mounted within said block, a plug adjustable within said extension, and a pointer suspended from said plug, adapted to swing over an indicator in said ring, substantially as set forth.

3. An instrument of the character described, comprising a block, a ring, having a tubular extension, rotatably mounted within said block, a plug adjustable with said extension, and a pointer suspended from said plug, adapted to swing over an indicator in said ring, substantially as set forth.

4. An instrument of the character described, comprising a block having a recess therein, bearing-plates secured to the sides of said block, having openings opposite said recess and annular depressions at the edge of said openings, a ring, having a hollow extension, rotatably mounted between said bearingplates, a plug adjustable within said hollow.

extension, and a pointer, suspended from said plug, adapted to swing over an indicator within said ring, substantially as set forth.

5. An instrument of the characterdescribed, comprising a block, a ring, having a hollow extension, rotatably mounted within said block, a pointer, suspended from within said hollow extension, adapted to swing over the Y indicator in said ring, anda plate, connected to said ring, adapted to lie flush with the edge of said block, substantially as set forth.

6. An instrument of the character described, comprising a block, having bearing-plates provided with openings secured to said block, a ring, having a hollow extension, rotatably mounted between said bearing-plates, a pointer, suspended from within said hollow extension, adapted to swing over an indicator in said ring, and transparent disks interposed between said bearing-plates and said ring, substantially as set forth.

7. An instrument ofthe character described, comprising a block, a ring having a hollow extension, rotatably mounted within said block, an indicator within said ring, comprising a wire suitably held at opposite ends in the edges of a cup, and a pointer, suspended from within said tubular extension, adapted to swing over said indicator, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. LlNGLE.

Witnesses:

GEORGE J. BUoHHoLz, HERMAN LONG. 

